Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor’s Hannah Gostlow, Michael Harrison and Peter Lacey.  Councillor’s Andrew Timothy and Sam Gibbs acted as substitutes.

Councillor Aldred declared that he was the Division Councillor for High Harrogate and Kingsley, within which the application at agenda item four was located.  He confirmed that he had not been lobbied in relation to the application, had retained an open mind, and would therefore participate in both the debate and the determination of the item.

The Head of Development Management, Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for reserved matters in respect of a residential development comprising of 133 dwellings with access (within the site), appearance, landscaping, layout and scale considered pursuant to Outline Permission 17/01899/OUTMAJ on land at Cow Dyke Farm, Skipton Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2AL. 

The application was presented to the Committee at Members’ request, following the decision at the outline application stage that any subsequent reserved matters application should be reported to the Planning Committee.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report and highlighted the location, site description and context to the application.

Providing an update to their report, the officer advised that the Government had published an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on 17 August 2026, which introduced new National Development Management Policies (NDMPs), that carried significant weight in decision-making.  The officer update note, which had been published on the North Yorkshire Council website, identified the sections of the report requiring amendment and outlined the implications of those policy changes.

In addition, the Committee was advised that Tree Preservation Order No. 73/2026 (HAR) had been made on 18 August 2026 in respect of trees within the green corridor and along the eastern site boundary adjoining the Public Right of Way.  The trees would be retained as part of the proposed development, with suitable protection secured through recommended conditions.  Members also noted additional consultation responses, including confirmation from the Council's Ecology Officer that the southern boundary hedgerow was not an ‘important hedgerow’ and that the development would achieve biodiversity net gain, subject to the recommended ecological measures.  Northern Powergrid had reconfirmed that they raised no objections, subject to the retention of its statutory rights and access to apparatus.  The Committee was further advised of amendments to the officer report to correct typographical errors relating to the affordable housing provision and accessible dwellings, together with a minor amendment to Condition 2 (Approved Plans) to correct the schedule of approved drawings.

Diane Fiddes, spoke on behalf of a number of the residents of the Dalesway Estate, objecting to the application.

The agent, Chris Calvert spoke on behalf of the applicant, in support of the application.

During consideration of the application, the Committee discussed the following issues

· Members queried whether discussions had taken place between officers and the applicant regarding the proposed affordable housing mix, including the clustering of a number of affordable housing units within the development.

· Clarification was sought regarding the arrangements for the maintenance of the public open space within the site, including the costs that would be charged to residents by the management company.

· The Chair sought confirmation that the southern boundary hedgerow had been assessed under the Hedgerow Regulations and that the Council's Ecology Officer had concluded it did not constitute an ‘important hedgerow’.

· The Chair queried who would be responsible for the cost of repairing any potential damage caused by construction traffic to the unadopted section of Malham Drive during the construction phase.

· A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

The Head of Development Management, Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for a phased residential development to include demolition of the existing building and construction of 20 no affordable units, age restricted to over 55s (14 no 1-bedroom apartments and 6 no 2-bedroom apartments), with associated car parking, cycle spaces, green space and landscaping on land at Applegarth Homes, Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7NA.

The application had been brought to Planning Committee as the planning application raised significant material planning considerations.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report and highlighted the location, site description and context to the application.  Providing an update to their report, the officer advised Members of the government update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and explained that the officer update note, which had been published on the North Yorkshire Council website, identified the sections of the report requiring amendment following this update and outlined the implications of those policy changes.

In addition, the Committee were informed that a query had been received from a member of the public regarding the ownership of land to the north of the site.  Following the submission of a Title Plan by the applicant which confirmed ownership of the land in question, any dispute related to land ownership was considered a civil matter.  Members were also advised of two additional recommended conditions, one requiring the submission and approval of a scheme for the provision of bird nest boxes to the development to provide habitats for birds, encouraging the habitation of priority and threatened species, in accordance with NDMP N2 1f); and the other requiring the submission and approval of a cycle storage scheme prior to occupation of the development.

The agent, Kate Glynn, speaking on behalf of the applicant, and Judy Gibson, speaking on behalf of the residents of Applegarth Homes, shared the five-minute public speaking allocation and spoke in support of the application.

During consideration of the application, the Committee discussed the following issues

· Members sought clarification on whether the five disabled parking spaces were designated for specific flats within the development.

· Members queried whether the minimum age requirement of 55 years was prescribed by legislation.

Members acknowledged the loss of the existing building but recognised the need for its replacement with accommodation better suited to modern living requirements. The Chair added that he considered the proposal to be an excellent scheme that would benefit both future residents and the wider local area.

Councillor Philip Broadbank proposed, and Councillor Andrew Timothy seconded that the application be granted.

The decision

That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions detailed in the Committee report, and the officer update note, and the prior completion of a S106 agreement.

Voting record

A vote was taken and the motion was carried unanimously.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There were no items of urgent business.

Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 2.00pm.

Tuesday 29 September 2026, at 2.00 pm.